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Effect of chitosan on lipid levels when administered concurrently with atorvastatin--a placebo controlled study

S Guha1, S K Pal, N Chatterjee

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Medical College, Kolkata.

Journal of the Indian Medical Association
|December 21, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Chitosan supplementation with atorvastatin significantly reduced body weight and increased HDL cholesterol in heart disease patients. However, it did not significantly alter total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglyceride levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) management often involves lipid-lowering statin therapy.
  • Dietary interventions, such as fiber supplementation, are explored to augment lipid management.
  • Chitosan, a dietary fiber, has potential lipid-modulating properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of chitosan when co-administered with atorvastatin in patients with chronic coronary heart disease.
  • To assess the impact of chitosan on body weight and lipid profiles in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-week, placebo-controlled trial involving 100 patients with chronic coronary heart disease.
  • Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A received atorvastatin (10 mg) plus 2 g/day chitosan, and Group B received atorvastatin (10 mg) plus placebo.
  • Body weight, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Group A demonstrated a significant reduction in mean body weight (3.14% vs. 1.29%, p<0.05).
  • A significant increase in HDL cholesterol was observed in Group A (3.8% vs. 1.07%, p=0.02).
  • No significant differences in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglyceride levels were found between the groups, though Group A showed marginally lower values.

Conclusions:

  • Co-administration of chitosan with atorvastatin may contribute to modest weight reduction and HDL cholesterol improvement in patients with chronic coronary heart disease.
  • Chitosan did not produce statistically significant improvements in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides in this study.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential and optimal use of chitosan in cardiovascular disease management.

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